Biomass Gasification With Electrolyzer Oxygen for Green Ammonia
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Solution Overview
Problem
The disposal of biomass and municipal solid waste leads to significant carbon dioxide and methane emissions, and there is a need for cleaner energy sources to produce chemicals and fuels while reducing carbon dioxide emissions during production.
Innovation Solution
A process combining biomass gasification with water electrolysis using renewable power to produce green ammonia, methanol, and Fischer Tropsch products, utilizing oxygen and hydrogen generated from electrolysis to avoid air separation units and reduce carbon emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If biomass and municipal solid waste are disposed of by burning, incineration, or landfilling, then waste disposal is achieved, but significant carbon dioxide and methane emissions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts harmful greenhouse gas emissions into valuable chemical products. Carbon dioxide captured from the gasification process is used as a feedstock for producing methanol and other chemicals, while the biomass waste is converted into syngas and subsequently into ammonia, methanol, and Fischer-Tropsch products. This transforms the harmful disposal process into a beneficial chemical production process that reduces emissions while creating value-added products
2Productivity
If conventional chemical production methods are used, then chemicals and fuels are produced, but carbon dioxide emissions during production are significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of chemical production by using biomass-derived syngas instead of fossil fuel-based feedstocks. The gasification process converts biomass into a synthesis gas mixture (CO, H2, CO2) that serves as the basis for producing ammonia, methanol, and other chemicals. This parameter change in the feedstock source fundamentally reduces the carbon intensity of the production process while maintaining high productivity
3Use of energy by moving object
If air separation units are used in gasification processes, then oxygen supply is achieved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes the oxygen produced from water electrolysis directly for the gasification process, eliminating the need for separate air separation units. The electrolyzer generates oxygen as a byproduct, which is then fed into the gasifier to convert biomass into syngas. This extraction and direct utilization approach simplifies the overall process configuration and reduces energy consumption associated with air separation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This process produces value-added green products while avoiding landfill disposal of biomass and reducing carbon emissions, utilizing renewable energy to generate oxygen and hydrogen for gasification, thereby creating a sustainable production method.
Implementation Method 1
introducing water into an electrolyzer to produce an oxygen product and a hydrogen product
Implementation Method 2
producing an unshifted syngas from biomass and oxygen in a gasification unit
Data Source
AI summary
Ammonia, methanol, Fischer Tropsch products, and derivatives thereof are made by using hydrogen and oxygen supplied from an electrolyzer that is at least partially powered by renewable power, resulting in green process and systems that produce green products disclosed herein. A process using biomass and renewable energy includes producing an unshifted syngas from biomass and oxygen in a gasification unit, introducing water into an electrolyzer to produce an oxygen product and a hydrogen product, and introducing the oxygen product to the gasification unit. The electrolyzer is powered by renewable energy, and the oxygen product supplies at least a portion of the oxygen to the gasification unit.